14 best vacuum cleaners for your home and how to choose the right one

Dust, dirt, and allergens are easily sucked away with this corded stick vacuum cleaner from Shark. Featuring powerful suction and an eight metre cord for an efficient and effective clean, it’ll ensure your home is clean at all times. It also comes with a handy crevice tool for getting to those hard-to-reach areas.

Key features:

• HEPA system
• Ideal for pets
• No need to wait for the vacuum to charge – unlimited cleaning time
• 1.6 metre cleaning tube
• 2-year warranty

The V12 Detect Slim Complete cordless vacuum is designed to help you maximise your cleaning sessions. Lightweight and easy to use, the V12 includes a clever laser that reveals microscopic dust on the floor, as well as an intelligent particle counter that can be viewed on the LCD screen that lets you know when you’ve thoroughly cleaned whatever you’re vacuuming.

Key features:

• Sizes and counts dust particles as you clean
• Up to 60 minutes of fade-free power
• Fluffy Optic cleaner reveals invisible dust

Also available at:

• $1349, The Good Guys
• $499.99, Amazon

With Sensitive Choice Approval from the National Asthma Council of Australia, Samsung’s Jet 90 Pro Vacuum Cleaner is perfect for those who are concerned about allergens and dust in the home. The vacuum cleaner features a clever 5-layered filtration system which allows it to capture up to 99.999 per cent of micro dust particles, courtesy of its 200W of vacuum suction power.

Key features:

• Advanced 5-layered filtration system
• Up to 60 minutes of run time
• 200W vacuum suction power
• Z station included to store and charge

For those who love a traditional bagged vacuum, you can’t look much further than Electrolux’s Silent Performer Bagged Vacuum. As the name suggests, this vacuum features a Silence Pro System resulting in minimal noise, while the washable HEPA filter works to clean your floors with incredible efficiency. The 12m cable means you won’t have to swap power points all that often, while the dust bag ensures your dust and dirt stay contained.

Key features:

• 180 access lid to provide full access to filter and dust bag
• 12m cleaning reach
• Adjustable power control

Also available at:

• $249, Bing Lee

LG’s range of cordless vacuums is ideal for homes both big and small, and comes with a compact standing dock that charges your secondary battery for you while making storage a breeze. To help you get the most out of your vacuum cleaner, Kompressor technology compacts vacuumed dust and debris, while the adjustable wand length allows you to clean hard-to-reach areas.

Key features:

• Dual powerpack for up to 120 minutes of run time
• 5-step filtration system
• Removable and washable filters
• LG Kompressor technology saves you time by compressing dust and hair collected in the bin

Also available at:

• $899, Bing Lee

Designed to be the ultimate floorcare solution for every home, Ecovacs’ Deebot T10 Plus will vacuum and mop your floor while spritzing air freshener throughout the house. With updated auto-mapping technology, the T10 Plus vacuum is smarter than ever and cleverly navigates around the home with minimal intervention. It also comes with an auto-empty station to make cleaning your robot vacuum a breeze.

Key features:

• Interactive voice control with YIKO voice assistant
• Auto-empty station for hands-free operation
• Powerful mopping pad

Also available at:

• $1149.99, Kogan
• $1168.30, Catch
• $1149.99, Dick Smith

We never thought we’d say ‘stylish’ and ‘vacuum’ in the same sentence, but Samsung’s latest cordless vacuum is as chic as they come. The BESPOKE Jet isn’t just good-looking though – it’s Samsung’s most powerful vacuum yet! With a high-performance filtration system that helps trap up to 99.999 per cent of fine dust, and allergens from releasing back into the air, you can rest assured knowing it’s cleaning your floors and home properly. It’s also a dream to use and empty thanks to the new integrated Clean Station(TM) that conveniently empties the bin without getting your hands dirty or dust everywhere. We are partial to this forest green colourway, it’s also available in White and Midnight Blue to suit any interior style.

Key features:

• 210W vacuum suction power
• Up to 120 minutes of run time
• Dual and hard floor brushes included
• Integrated Clean Station to empty bin without getting your hands dirty
• Multi-layered filtration system

Also available at:

• $1199, Bing Lee
• $1197, Appliances Online

If you’re looking for a robot vacuum that is powerful enough to remove sticky pet hair, the Eufy X8 is for you. Eufy has doubled the suction power for this model to achieve a deeper level of clean. Two turbines, each generating up to 2000Pa of intense suction, clean up to 57.6 per cent more pet hair when compared with a single-turbine robotic vacuum. This hybrid 2-in-1 vacuum and mop boasts BoostIQ™ Technology, meaning suction power will automatically increase in just 1.5 seconds when extra vacuuming strength is needed, such as when changing levels from a hard floor to a rug.

Key features:

• Powerful twin turbines increase air flow and reduces hair entanglement
• Ultra-pack dust-compression technology to collect more dust in the bin
• 250ml water tank

Also available at:

• $1099, Myer
• $944, The Good Guys
• $1249, Catch

Kogan’s Z11 Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner can be fully charged in just three hours, and boasts a 52-minute run time, making it ideal for quick cleans. The 270° rotatable design allows for maximum reach, while the washable HEPA filter helps keep allergens, dust and dirt contained. The Total Pro set comes with an additional battery as well as three extra filters, ensuring you can get the most out of your device.

Key features:

• 25kPa suction power
• 400W brushless DC motor
• Adjustable power levels
• HEPA filter
• 52 minutes of run time

Also available at:

• $199, Dick Smith
• $215.09, Amazon

With a special HyClean dust bag and motor protection filter, this vacuum cleaner from Miele promises to filter and contain 99.9 per cent of dust particles. The easy-to-use foot control will rewind your cable after use at the press of a button, while the stainless steel telescopic tube works hard while giving you a working radius of up to 11 metres.

Key features:

• 2000W suction power
• Adjustable height/tube
• Universal floorhead for carpet and hard floors

Also available at:

• $499, Bing Lee
• $505, Appliances Online

The iRobot Roomba J7+ robot vacuum comes with an in-built dust detector that finds and captures dust and dirt particles, as well as larger debris like hair on both carpet and floorboards. It also features PrecisionVision Navigation technology that spots and avoids hazards in real time, meaning you don’t have to worry about charging cords being tangled up in your robot vacuum anymore.

Key features:

• 3-stage cleaning system
• Edge-sweeping brush that cleans along walls and corners
• AllergenLock bag holds 60 days of dirt and debris

Also available at:

• $1599, Amazon
• $1499, Bing Lee
• $1799, Big W

With a runtime of up to 40 minutes, the Tineco Pure One Stick Vacuum easily converts into a handheld vacuum when needed. The 4-stage HEPA filtration ensures all manner of dust, dirt and allergens are sucked up while cleaning, while the Smart LED Display and iLoop Dust Sensor work to adjust the strength of your vacuum cleaner’s suction power depending on surface type.

Key features:

• Smart sensor technology
• Up to 40 minutes of run time
• Smart LED display
• Smart app integration available

Also available at:

• $599, Godfreys
• $599, Catch

Dyson’s V15 Detect Absolute vacuum cleaner was developed with large homes in mind, boasting an impressive 60-minute runtime so you can clean the whole house at once. Plus, with its angled laser lights that reveal microscopic dust, you’ll be sure to suck up every speck for a spotless home.

Key features:

• Fluffy Optic cleaner reveals 2x more microscopic particles
• Radical cyclone technology
• Dyson Hyperdymium motor
• Up to 60 minutes of fade-free power

Also available at:

• $949, The Good Guys

Bissell’s Crosswave stick vacuum doubles as a mop, allowing you to vacuum and wash your floors simultaneously. Designed specifically for cleaning up pet fur and dander courtesy of a multi-surface pet brush roll and pet hair strainer, the Crosswave also includes a special pet cleaning solution to help eliminate pet odours.

Key features:

• Specialised pet brush roll
• Two tank system to separate clean and dirty water
• Comes with multi-surface pet formula

Also available at:

• $429, Amazon
• $429, The Good Guys

What to consider when choosing the best vacuum cleaners for your home

Style Each style of vacuum cleaner has its pros and cons, so it’s important to consider which factors you’d like to prioritise. For example, is convenience or battery power the most important factor for you?

Floor type While many vacuums come with an array of additional attachments to allow you to vacuum efficiently on all surfaces and even help reach into the farthest nooks and crannies, some models do not. A vacuum designed for carpet is very different from one that’s optimised for floorboards.

Battery power Mainly a problem for cordless and robot vacuums — consider the size of your home and how much runtime you will need. Many stick vacuums allow you to purchase an additional battery to help extend your runtime as needed.

Suction power Not all vacuums suck equally. In addition to looking at the suction force (check the air wattage — 100AW is a good place to start!), you’ll want to examine the filtration system in your vacuum. An easily clogged filter will have a dramatic impact on your vacuum’s suction power throughout its runtime.

Cleaning factor How easy is your vacuum to empty and clean? Many robot vacuums can self-empty and clean, while corded vacuums with bags ensure all of your dirt and dust stays confined during the disposal process.

Different types of vacuum cleaners and the benefits and downsides of each

Stick and handheld vacuums

The biggest trend in floor care is undoubtedly the newer lightweight stick/handheld cleaners. Stick vacuum cleaners have rapidly improved in both suction and battery life, and usually come with an assortment of attachments that make them a truly viable option for all homes and their surfaces.

In the past, one of the major downsides of cordless vacuums has been their smaller battery and need for regular recharging. Newer models allow for quick-swapping with additional batteries allowing you to instantly extend your runtime. Some models, like the Dyson Outsize also come with significantly larger cleaner heads to help make cleaning bigger spaces more efficient.

Suction strength and hardy filters have also become a mainstay in the category. Heavy-duty filtration systems are designed to ensure your vacuum can clean the most minuscule particles without affecting the suction quality of your device. Samsung’s JetStick vacuum for example offers an advanced 5-layer dust filtration system which is ideal for minimising allergens in the home.

But, it’s worth noting that sticks are not always great for carpeted areas, especially those with a shag finish. And, depending on the size of your home, they still might not be ideal if you like to do all the vacuuming at once.

However, they are a fantastic option for people who tend to clean in short, sharp bursts or do quick touch-ups every day or so. Their compact nature also makes them easy to store — especially in smaller homes and apartments.

When you only want or need to do a bit here and there, you can’t beat a hands-on option.

Canister vacuums

It may come as a surprise, but people are still comfortable with using canister vacuums, says Colin. “Their compartments are typically larger and the perception is that, as they are powered directly from an outlet, they are more powerful than the cordless options. With a canister you also don’t have to worry about running out of charge,” he explains.

A leader in this category is Miele – and Robin Werth, head of category management and marketing, of Miele Australia and New Zealand, believes canister vacuum cleaners offer the ideal solution for a more powerful, deep clean.

Robin is an advocate for bagged vacuum cleaners, and Miele has no intention of phasing them out. “Bagged vacuum cleaners remain Miele’s best sellers and the category continues to grow due to popularity,” he says. “Key reasons include hygienic dust disposal and cleanliness, along with convenience and no need for maintenance.”

It’s worth noting that allergy sufferers usually prefer bagged cleaners because they contain indoor allergens and dust better.

Packed with power, the classic style is still your go-to for getting the job done on all floor types.

Robot vacuums

Ideal for homes with hard surfaces such as timber or tiles, robot vacuum cleaners take most of the work out of keeping your floor clean. Not only will they work while you’re out of the house, but they’re also smart enough to return to their hubs whenever they need recharging.

“Not long ago, robotic vacuums were synonymous with being more of a nuisance than they were helpful as they lacked intelligence and adequate navigation abilities,” says Karen Powell, Head of Ecovacs Robotics for Australia and New Zealand. “New technology coupled with the ability for them to compete with more traditional vacuums in terms of suction power, proves that robotic vacuums are now no longer a gimmick but genuinely helpful home essentials adding a plethora of functional benefits in our homes.”

“Robot vacuums are proving a popular solution for the time-poor people, removing the grunt work associated with vacuuming,” says Colin. “Some models will manoeuvre around your furniture and will know to put the brakes on at the top of your stairs. If this convenience isn’t enough, you can even control some of these vacuums using an app on your smartphone or tablet.”

The navigational technology of robot vacuums continues to improve in leaps and bounds, and some models like the Ecovacs’ OZMO range are hybrid models – meaning that they can mop, sweep and vacuum your floor, which can be extra handy for those with timber or tiled floors.

Why apply all that elbow grease when a new machine can do it for you – and never complain!

New vacuum technology

In addition to improved suction and convenience, many vacuums have sought to move ahead of the pack with even more technological advancements. When considering which vacuum is the best for you, we’d recommend considering which factors will help make your life and cleaning process easier. Here are some of our favourite new features…

Robot vacuums, of course, have in-built mapping and object detection and this technology continues to get more and more sophisticated. But, newer models like EcoVacs Robotic‘s DEEBOT T9+ take their vacuum design to the next level with the addition of an integrated air freshener along with their mopping and vacuuming capabilities.

There’s nothing worse than emptying your vacuum cleaner’s dustbin and finding a mushroom cloud’s worth of dust spilling back into the air. Samsung’s Jet Stick Vacuum pairs beautifully with the Samsung Clean Station which automatically cleans the dustbin and boasts an ultrafine filter that ensures allergens and dust don’t get released back into the home.

Dyson’s Dyson Detect V15 features a handy particle counter on its LCD screen which acoustically senses the size and number of particles you vacuum to instantly highlight when a vacuumed area is truly clean. A built-in laser in the fluffy cleaner head also illuminates dust particles on the ground to help make cleaning easier.